Nevada Union High School

Special Education

Our mission in Special Education is to provide each student with an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. We believe in high-quality, evidence-based instruction and services for all students. We believe that all students can learn and succeed.

Special Education programs are designed to provide an environment or assistance to students with diagnosed disabilities. Some of the disabilities which can be accommodated through special education services are learning disabilities, speech and language disorders, visual and hearing impairments, physical disabilities, and emotional disorders.

The general goal is to help students acquire the skills necessary to be successful in school, employment and the community. Eligible students participate in the mainstream education program to the maximum extent possible, with special education classes and supports provided, as necessary for success. Traditional and special education teachers work together to achieve this goal for students. Various models of collaboration are used to support individuals in traditional education classes. Eligible students may enroll in special education classes to receive direct instruction in core academic areas and / or to receive support for regular educaiton classes. Requests to determine eligilibity for special education services should be made to your student's counselor.

Special Education Department Teachers

Trisha Zakon Special Education Mild/Mod Department Chair Teacher \| Special Education Learning Center Resource Teacher	Course offerings Practical English 2 Resource Supported Studies
Tracy Donadio Teacher \| Special Education Learning Center Resource Teacher	Essential Life Skills 2 Resource Supported Studies
Lisa Drageset Teacher \| Special Education Learning Center Resource Teacher	Basic Algebra A/B Basic Credit Recovery Essential Life Skills 1 Resource
Faith Lohuis Special Education Mod/Sev Department Chair Teacher \| Special Education	Mod / Sev Program Description Community Living Functional Math Functional Reading Independent Living Skills
Brandon Handy Teacher \| Special Education	Mod / Sev Program Description Community Living Functional Math Functional Reading Independent Living Skills
Sandra Helmuth Teacher \| Special Education Learning Center Resource Teacher	Basic Algebra C/D Resource Supported Studies
Cheryl Hendrickson Teacher \| Special Education Elizabeth (Beth) Huseby) Teacher \| Special Education	Basic Career Choices / Health Resource Supported Studies Mod / Sev Program Description Community Living Functional Math Functional Reading Independent Living Skills
Eileen Kamba Teacher \| Special Education Learning Center Resource Teacher	Practical English 9 Practical English 11 Resource Supported Studies
Karla Miller Teacher \| Special Education Learning Center Resource Teacher	Practical English 12 Resource Supported Studies
Michelle Sanders Lewis Teacher \| Special Education Learning Center Resource Teacher	Basic Pre-Algebra Resource Supported Studies
Amy Van Voorst Teacher \| Special Education	Adapted PE Partners Tutor Advisor P.E.O.P.L.E. Advisor

NU Step Teachers

Peter Baldo

Lotty Hellested

Sharon Tong

NU Step Program

NUSTEP students work to master skills that they will need as adults to participate more fully in their community- either independently or with their families. A NUSTEP student has an Individual Education Program (IEP) goals that relate directly to activities the adult student will be doing when he/she leaves NUSTEP. Instruction takes place in the classroom and / or in the community in accordance with each individual student’s needs. Students must demonstrate necessary prerequisite skills in the classroom before instruction in the community takes place.

District Staff